Output assemblies for printers

ABSTRACT

Example output assemblies for a printer device and printer devices incorporating the output assemblies are disclosed. In one example, the output assembly includes a support surface to support print media that is dispensed from the printer device along a feed direction. In addition, the output assembly includes a side surface that is coupled to the printer device and disposed above the support surface. The side surface is to transition between a first position and a second position. When the side surface is in the second position, the side surface is extended away from the printer device in the feed direction from the from the first position.

BACKGROUND

Printer devices may dispense print media onto an output tray during a printing operation, so that a user may remove the dispensed print media from the printer device thereafter. In some circumstances, a printer device may dispense collated print media stacks onto the output tray. Some printer devices may even insert a staple through the collated stacks of print media prior to dispensing them onto the output tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples will be described below referring to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a printer device according to some examples;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequential, enlarged side schematic views of an output assembly of the printer device of FIG. 1 according to some examples;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of examples of a shaft and cam for use within the output assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 according to some examples;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example print media stack that is to be dispensed by the printer device of FIG. 1 according to some examples; and

FIGS. 7-9 are sequential side views of a printing operation utilizing the printer of FIG. 1 according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, certain features and components disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In some of the figures, in order to improve clarity and conciseness, a component or an aspect of a component may be omitted.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to be broad enough to encompass both indirect and direct connections.

Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally refer to positions along or parallel to a central or longitudinal axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally refer to positions located or spaced to the side of the central or longitudinal axis.

As used herein, including in the claims, the word “or” is used in an inclusive manner. For example, “A or B” means any of the following: “A” alone, “B” alone, or both “A” and “B.” In addition, when used herein (including in the claims), the words “generally,” “about,” or “substantially” mean within a range of plus or minus 20% of the stated value. As used herein, the term “computing device” may refer to any suitable device that may execute, generate, or store machine readable instructions.

As previously described, a printer device may dispense collated print media stacks onto an output tray during a printing operation. The collated print media stacks may include a staple or a plurality of staples when they are dispensed onto the output tray. Staples typically cause a local increase in thickness within the corresponding print media stack proximate the staple location. Thus, if the staples in a plurality of dispensed collated print media stacks are aligned within the output tray, the combined local increases in stack thickness may eventually cause instability for the print media disposed within the output tray as additional print media stacks are dispensed onto the output tray. In addition, in some circumstances, the aligned staples of the dispensed print media stacks may be disposed proximate the opening in the printer device. In this case, the combined, aligned local increases in stack thickness may also lead to partial or complete obstruction of the opening in the printer device housing for dispensing print media (which can cause flipping or rolling of the subsequently dispensed print media).

Accordingly, examples disclosed herein include output assemblies for a printer device that comprise a movable side surface above the output tray that is to selectively extend and retract along the feed direction of the dispensed print media so as to selectively vary a position of successively dispensed, stapled print media stacks during operations. As will be described in more detail below, the selective variation of the positions of dispensed, stapled print media stacks within the output tray along the feed direction may allow for the staple locations of the collated print media stacks to be staggered. As a result, the stability of multiple stapled print media stacks dispensed onto the output tray may be improved.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a printer device 10 is shown according to some examples. Printer device 10 may be a printer that is to affix or print images, graphics, text, etc. onto the surface of print media (e.g., paper). In other examples, printer device 10 may be a finishing device that is to receive completed print jobs (e.g., print media that has had image, graphics, text, etc. printed thereon) from a separate printer. In still other examples, printer device 10 may include both a printer and a finishing device. Thus, the term “printer device” is used to herein to refer to printers, finishing devices, and devices that comprise both a printer and a finishing device.

Printer device 10 includes an outer housing 12 with an aperture 14 for dispensing print media during a printing operation. In addition, printer device 10 includes an output assembly 100 that is to receive and arrange print media that is dispensed from aperture 14 during a printing operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, output assembly 100 generally includes an output tray 110, an output roller assembly 20, and a cam assembly 120. Output tray 110 is coupled to housing 12 and includes a support surface 112 thereon. Output tray 110 is adjacent aperture 14 (e.g., below aperture 14) and is to actuate or move along a direction Y that may be generally aligned with the vertical direction (e.g., the direction of gravity) in some examples. Thus, output tray 110 may actuate in the vertical direction (e.g., downward) during operations so as to accommodate a growing pile of print media disposed on the support surface 112.

Any suitable system may be utilized to actuate output tray 110 along direction Y. For example, a driver (e.g., an electric motor) may be utilized to actuate output tray 110 along a track, gear rack, slot, etc. that is coupled to or incorporated on housing 12. In particular, in this example, as shown in FIG. 1, a geared rack 116 is disposed within housing 12 that includes a plurality of gear teeth 117. In addition, a pinion gear 118 is coupled to output tray 110 and is also disposed within housing 12. Pinion gear 118 includes a plurality of gear teeth 119 that are engaged or meshed within teeth 117 on geared rack 116. During operations, pinion gear 118 may be rotated (e.g., by a driver mounted coupled to pinion gear 118) so as to engage teeth 119 on pinion gear 118 with the teeth 117 on geared rack 116 and therefore selectively advance output tray 110 along direction Y.

Referring again to FIG. 2, output roller assembly 20 comprises a plurality of rollers 22 (two rollers 22 are shown in the example of FIG. 2) that are to advance print media along a feed direction X that is directed out of aperture 14 and toward output tray 110. Specifically, during operations, one roller 22 or both rollers 22 are driven to rotate about their corresponding longitudinal axes (not shown) in opposite directions. During this process, print media (e.g., a piece of print media or a stack of print media) is captured or pinched between the two rollers 22 and is advanced between rollers 22 toward support surface 112 along the feed direction X.

Referring still to FIG. 2, cam assembly 120 includes a shaft 122, a cam 124 coupled to and extending from shaft 122, and a drive assembly 130 coupled to shaft 122. In this example, shaft 122 is an elongate generally cylindrical member that has a central or longitudinal axis 125. Shaft 122 is rotatably mounted within housing 12 of printer device 10 proximate aperture 14, so that shaft 122 may rotate or pivot about axis 125 during operations.

Cam 124 is coupled to and extends generally radially outward from shaft 122 with respect to axis 125. In this example, cam 124 is integrally formed on shaft 122. For example, shaft 122 and cam 124 may be molded, machined, or otherwise formed of the same material as one integral or monolithic body. In other examples, cam 124 is formed separately from shaft 122 and is then subsequently coupled or engaged to shaft 122 through any suitable manner (e.g., a set screw, welding, snap fit, etc.). Regardless of whether cam 124 is integral with shaft 122, during operations, as shaft 122 is rotated about axis 125, cam 124 is also rotated about axis 125 (i.e., cam 124 and shaft 122 rotated together about axis 125).

In addition, cam 124 defines a side surface 126 thereon. As will be described in more detail below, side surface 126 is to engage with print media that is dispensed into output tray 110 during printing operations. In this example, side surface 126 is a planar surface 126; however, surface 126 may have other shapes or profiles in other examples. For instance, side surface 126 may have a curved profile (e.g., concave, convex, etc.) in some examples. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, cam 124 (and thus side surface 126) is disposed above the support surface 112 of output tray 110.

Referring still to FIG. 2, an arcuate member 140 is coupled to shaft 122 that includes a plurality of gear teeth 142 thereon. Arcuate member 140 is mounted to shaft 122 such that as shaft 122 rotates about axis 125, arcuate member 140 is also rotated about axis 125 (i.e., arcuate member 140 and shaft 122 rotate together about axis 125). Gear teeth 142 may include any suitable tooth profile (e.g., triangular, rectangular, spur, helical, double helical, bevel, etc.). As will be described in more detail below, gear teeth 142 are to mesh or engage with complimentary gear teeth within drive assembly 130 to selectively rotate shaft 122 and cam 124 about axis 125 during printing operations.

Drive assembly 130 includes a driver 132 and a gear 134 operatively coupled to driver 132. Driver 132 may comprise any suitable driver or prime mover (e.g., electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor, etc.). In this example, driver 132 is an electric motor. During operations, driver 132 selectively rotates gear 134 about an axis of rotation 135. Gear 134 may be directly mounted on an output shaft (not shown) of driver 132, or may be integrally formed on the output shaft of driver 132. In other examples, gear 134 may be indirectly coupled to driver 132 via other connections or assemblies (e.g., such as a gear train, a belt drive, etc.). Gear 134 comprises a plurality of gear teeth 136 circumferentially arranged about axis 135. In addition, gear 134 is positioned proximate to shaft 122 such that the teeth 136 on gear 134 engage with and mesh with the teeth 142 on arcuate member 140.

During operations, driver 132 may selectively rotate gear 134 in either direction about axis 135 (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). As shown in FIG. 2, in this example axis 135 is parallel to and radially offset from axis 125 of shaft 122; however, such alignment may not be present in other examples. In addition, because the teeth 136 of gear 134 are engaged and meshed with the teeth 142 on arcuate member 140, the rotation of gear 134 about axis 135 also drives rotation of arcuate member 140, shaft 122, and cam 124 about axis 125.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, shaft 122 and cam 124 may be selectively pivoted about axis 125 (by rotation of gear 134 within drive assembly 130 as previously described) to transition the side surface 126 on cam 124 between a first position shown in FIG. 2 and a second position shown in FIG. 3. In particular, in the first position (FIG. 2), the side surface 126 of cam 124 is retracted toward aperture 14 in housing 12 along the feed direction X.

When desired, the driver 132 of drive assembly 130 rotates gear 134 about axis 135, which in turn drives rotation of arcuate member 140, shaft 122, and cam 124 about axis 125 as previously described so that side surface 126 is pivoted from the first position (FIG. 2) to the second position of FIG. 3. In the second position (FIG. 3), the side surface 126 is extended outward from aperture 14 of printer device 10 in the feed direction X (or toward output tray 110). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when side surface 126 is in the second position, the cam 124 and side surface 126 are disposed over a portion of the support surface 112 of output tray 110. In the depiction of FIGS. 2 and 3, to transition the side surface 126 from the first position of FIG. 2 to the second position of FIG. 3, the gear 134 is rotated about axis 135 in a clockwise direction, which in turn drives arcuate member 140, shaft 122, and cam 124 to rotate about axis 125 in a counterclockwise direction. However, the specific rotational direction of the components within drive assembly 130 and cam assembly 120 may be altered in other examples.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, when it is desired to transition the side surface 126 from the second position of FIG. 3 back to the first position of FIG. 2, driver 132 again rotates gear 134 about axis 135, which in turn drives rotation of arcuate member 140, shaft 122, and cam 124 about axis 125 and retracts side surface 126 back in toward printer device 10 (specifically aperture 14) along the feed direction X. In the depiction of FIGS. 2 and 3, to transition the side surface 126 from the second position of FIG. 3 to the first position of FIG. 2, the gear 134 is rotated about axis 135 in a counterclockwise direction, which in turn drives arcuate member 140, shaft 122, and cam 124 to rotate about axis 125 in a clockwise direction. However, as previously described above, the specific rotational direction of the components within drive assembly 130 and cam assembly 120 may be altered in other examples.

In some examples, side surface 126 may be transitioned between the first position (FIG. 2) and the second position (FIG. 3) by rotating shaft 122 about axis 125 with a driver (e.g., driver 132) that is directly engaged with shaft 122. As a result, in these examples, the arcuate member 140 and gear 134 may be omitted.

The specific design of cam 124 and shaft 122 may be greatly altered in various examples. For instance, referring now to FIG. 4, in some examples, cam 124 may extend axially over a majority of the axial length of shaft 122 with respect to axis 125. In this example, cam 124 is equidistantly positioned axially between opposing ends 122 a, 122 b of shaft 122. However, in other examples, cam 124 may be axially closer to one of the ends 122 a, 122 b of shaft 122. In still other examples, cam 124 may not extend over a majority of the axial length of shaft 122.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in some examples, shaft 122 may include a plurality of cams. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, a pair of cams 224 is coupled to shaft 122. Cams 224 are coupled to shaft 122 such that cams 224 are axially spaced from one another along axis 125. One of the cams 224 is more proximate a first end 122 a of the shaft 122, while the other of the cams 224 is more proximate a second end 122 b of the shaft 122. The cams 224 may define side surfaces 226 thereon that are circumferentially aligned with one another about axis 125. As a result, side surfaces 226 may be simultaneously transitioned between a first position and a second position in the same manner as described above for side surface 126 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In addition, it should be appreciated that the arcuate member 140 has been omitted from FIGS. 4 and 5 in order to simplify the figures (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Referring now to FIG. 6, an example collated and stapled print media stack 150 that may be dispensed from printer device 10 is shown. Print media stack 150 includes a plurality of print media sheets 152 (e.g., paper) that are bound to one another with a plurality of staples 154. In this example, the staples 154 are inserted through the print media stack 150 along a lateral edge 156 of the print media sheets 152. However, in other examples, the staples 154 may be disposed along a top edge 157 or a bottom edge 159 or at one or a plurality of the corners 158 of print media sheets 152. In addition, in some examples, a single staple 154 is inserted through the print media stack 150 (e.g., at any one of the lateral edge 156, top edge 157, bottom edge 159, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, during operations, first print media stack 150′ (which may be the same as print media stack 150 of FIG. 6) is dispensed from aperture 14 of housing 12 in printer device 10 in the feed direction X onto the support surface 112 of output tray 110. In particular, the first print media stack 150′ is advanced between rollers 22 of output roller assembly 20 in the feed direction X until first print media stack 150′ is deposited onto support surface 112 of output tray 110. In this example, the first print media stack 150′ is dispensed onto support surface 112 so that the lateral edge 156 carrying the staples 154 (see FIG. 6) is disposed most proximate outer housing 12 of printer device 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, once a predetermined amount of print media is dispensed from aperture 14 of housing 12, cam assembly 120 may be actuated to transition side surface 126 of cam 124 from the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to the second position (see FIGS. 3 and 8). In particular, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, once first print media stack 150′ is dispensed onto support surface 112 of output tray 110, side surface 126 is actuated outward along the feed direction X to the second position (see FIGS. 3 and 8). In addition, in this example, once the first print media stack 150′ is fully dispensed onto support surface 112, output tray 110 (including support surface 112) may be actuated away from aperture 14 along the direction Y by a predetermined distance. For example, the pinion gear 118 may be rotated to engage teeth 119 with the corresponding teeth 117 on gear rack 116 as previously described above (see e.g., FIG. 1). In this example, once the first print media stack 150′ is dispensed onto support surface 112 of output tray 110, output tray 110 is actuated away from aperture 14 in the direction Y by an amount that is equal to (or substantially equal to) the thickness of first print media stack 150′.

After the above described actuation of both the side surface 126 (e.g., in direction x) and the output tray 110 (e.g., in direction Y), a second print media stack 150″ (which also may be the same as print media stack 150 of FIG. 6) may be dispensed from aperture 14 and onto first print media stack 150′ on output tray 110. Because side surface 126 is disposed in the second position and thus is extended outward from aperture 14 in the feed direction, the dispensed second print media stack 150″ is spaced from the housing 12 relative to the previously dispensed first print media stack 150′ within output tray 110. In particular, the lateral edge 156 of second print media stack 150″ may be spaced from the lateral edge 156 of first print media stack 150′ by an offset distance L measured along the support surface 112.

In some examples, the offset distance L may range from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or from about 25 mm to about 35 mm. The magnitude of the offset distance L may be dictated by a number of different factors or parameters, such as for example, the dimensions of side surface 126, the circumferential rotation of shaft 122 about axis 125, the number and arrangement of gear teeth 136, 142, etc. In some examples, the offset distance L may be selectively varied by printer device 10 based on, for example, the dimensions of the print media stack 150, the location(s) of any staples 154, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, after second print media stack 150″ is dispensed onto first print media stack 150′ within output tray 110 as previously described, side surface 126 is again actuated toward printer device 10 along the feed direction X to the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 9). In addition, the output tray 110 (including support surface 112) may be again be actuated away from aperture 14 along the direction Y by a predetermined distance (e.g., which may be substantially equal to the thickness of second print media stack 150″). After the above described actuation of both the side surface 126 (e.g., in direction x) and the output tray 110 (e.g., in direction Y), a third print media stack 150″′ (which also may be the same as print media stack 150 of FIG. 6) may be dispensed from aperture 14 and onto second print media stack 150″ on output tray 110. Because side surface 126 is once again disposed in the second position and thus is retracted inward toward aperture 14 in the feed direction X, the dispensed third print media stack 150″′ is spaced from the housing 12 relative to the previously dispensed second print media stack 150″ on output tray 110. In particular, the lateral edge 156 of third print media stack 150″′ may be spaced from the lateral edge 156 of second print media stack 150″ by the offset distance L. In some examples, depending on the angle that output tray 110 (and particularly support surface 112) extends from outer housing 12, the lateral edge 156 of third print media stack 150″′ may be spaced from the lateral edge 156 of the second print media stack 150″ by a distance that is different (e.g., less) than the distance L between the lateral edges 156 of the first and second print media stacks 150′ and 150″, respectively.

The above sequence may be repeated a number of times so that a plurality of print media stacks (e.g., print media stacks 150′, 150″, 150″′, etc.) may be piled upon output tray 110 in the Y direction. Even though print media stacks 150′, 150″, 150′″ each have a plurality of staples 154 extending therethrough proximate the lateral edges 156 (see FIG. 6), the pile of print media stacks 150′ 150″, 150″′, may be relatively uniform in thickness since the lateral edges 156 carrying the staples 154 are staggered in the feed direction X. Thus, the stability of the pile of print media stacks 150′, 150″, 150′″ may be increased.

The above described operations have included actuating the side surface 126 of cam 124 between the first and second positions (see e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3) after depositing each print media stack 150′, 150″, 150′″ onto output tray. However, in other examples, a plurality of print media stacks 150′, 150″, 150″′ may be deposited onto output tray 110 between actuations of the side surface 126 (e.g., between the first and second positions of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively). For instance, in some examples, a plurality of first print media stacks 150′ may be initially deposited onto the support surface 112 of output tray 110. Thereafter, the side surface 126 may be actuated from the first position (see FIG. 2) to the second position (see FIG. 3), and a plurality of second print media stacks 150″ may be deposited onto the support surface 112 of output tray 110. Next, the side surface 126 may be actuated from the second position (see FIG. 3) back to the first position (see FIG. 2) and a plurality of third print media stacks 150″ may be deposited onto the support surface 112 of output tray 110. During the above described operations, output tray 110 may also be actuated away from aperture 14 in the Y direction in the manner described above so as to accommodate the growing pile of print media stacks (e.g., print media stacks 150′, 150″, 150′″) thereon.

Therefore, by utilizing an output assembly (e.g., output assembly 100) including an actuatable side surface (e.g., side surface 126) within a printer device (e.g., printer device 10) according to the examples disclosed herein, the stability of stapled print media disposed on an output tray (e.g., output tray 110) may be enhanced. As a result, a larger number of stapled print media stacks (e.g., print media stacks 150, 150′, 150″, 150′″) may be reliably dispensed onto an output tray before a user retrieves them. Accordingly, the functionality of a printer device employing such an output assembly is enhanced.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An output assembly for a printer device, the output assembly comprising: a support surface to support print media that is dispensed from the printer device along a feed direction; and a side surface that is coupled to the printer device and disposed above the support surface, wherein the side surface is to transition between a first position and a second position, wherein when the side surface is in the second position, the side surface is extended away from the printer device in the feed direction from the from the first position.
 2. The output assembly of claim 1, wherein the side surface is disposed on a cam that is coupled to a shaft having a central axis, and wherein the shaft is rotate about the central axis to transition the side surface between the first position and the second position.
 3. The output assembly of claim 2, comprising a second cam coupled to the shaft, wherein the second cam includes a second side surface, and wherein the second cam is axially spaced from the cam along the central axis.
 4. The output assembly of claim 2, comprising a driver coupled to the shaft, wherein the driver is to rotate the shaft about the central axis.
 5. The output assembly of claim 4, comprising: a first plurality of teeth coupled to the shaft; and a gear coupled to the driver that is engaged with the first plurality of gear teeth, wherein the driver is to rotate the gear to rotate the shaft about the central axis.
 6. A printer device, comprising: a housing; an aperture in the housing to emit print media dispensed from the printer device along a feed direction; and an output assembly, comprising: a support surface coupled to the housing and disposed adjacent the aperture; and a side surface that is disposed above the support surface, wherein the side surface is to transition between a first position and a second position, wherein when the surface is in the second position, the side surface is extended away from the housing in the feed direction from the from the first position.
 7. The printer device of claim 6, wherein the side surface is disposed on a cam that is coupled to a shaft having a central axis; wherein the shaft is rotate about the central axis to transition the side surface between the first position and the second position; and wherein the central axis is perpendicular to the feed direction.
 8. The printer device of claim 7, comprising a second cam and that includes a second side surface coupled to the shaft; wherein the second cam is axially spaced from the cam along the central axis, and wherein the second side surface is circumferentially aligned with the side surface about the central axis so that when the side surface is transitioned from the first position to the second position, the second side surface is moved outward from the housing with the side surface.
 9. The printer device of claim 7, comprising a driver coupled to the shaft, wherein the driver is to rotate the shaft about the central axis.
 10. The printer device of claim 9, comprising: a first plurality of teeth coupled to the shaft; and a gear coupled to the driver that is engaged with the first plurality of gear teeth, wherein the driver is to rotate the gear to rotate the shaft about the central axis.
 11. A printer device, comprising: a housing; an aperture in the housing to emit print media dispensed from the printer device along a feed direction; and an output assembly comprising: a support surface adjacent to the aperture; a cam coupled to a shaft having a central axis, wherein the central shaft and the cam are disposed above the side surface; and a driver coupled to the shaft, wherein the driver is to rotate the shaft about the central axis to selectively extend or retract the cam from or toward, respectively, the housing along the feed direction.
 12. The printer device of claim 10, comprising a second cam coupled to the shaft, wherein the second cam is axially spaced from the cam along the central axis, and wherein the driver is to rotate the shaft about the central axis to selectively extend or retract the cam and the second cam from or toward, respectively, the housing along the feed direction.
 13. The printer device of claim 10, wherein the central axis is perpendicular to the feed direction.
 14. The printer device of claim 13, comprising: a first plurality of gear teeth coupled to the shaft; and a gear coupled to the driver and engaged with the first plurality of gear teeth, wherein the driver is to rotate the pinion gear to rotate the shaft about the central axis.
 15. The printer device of claim 10, wherein the cam includes a side surface that is to engage with print media disposed on the support surface. 